What if every member of our community took one action this month?

One conversation. One improvement. One idea shared. One step towards a more sustainable laboratory sector.

Individually, these actions might seem small. Together, they have the potential to create a significant impact.

That's why the I2SL UK Chapter is launching #I2SLSeasonOfAction: a month-long campaign encouraging everyone involved in laboratories to commit to one practical action that helps improve sustainability across our sector.

Why Take Action?

Laboratories are among the most resource-intensive environments we design, build, operate and occupy. While major investments and technological innovations remain important, meaningful progress often starts with a simple commitment to do something differently.

Whether you're influencing design decisions, managing facilities, supporting research programmes or operating laboratory spaces, every individual has the ability to make a difference.

The challenge is simple:

Choose one action. Make it happen. Share it with the community.

The Challenge

We're asking the laboratory community to make one commitment, big or small, that will help improve sustainability within laboratories.

That could be:

✅ One design decision
✅ One operational improvement
✅ One construction practice
✅ One behaviour change
✅ One policy update

No action is too small. The goal is to build momentum, inspire others and demonstrate the collective impact our community can achieve together.

Who Can Take Part?

Anyone involved in the laboratory ecosystem can take part, including:

  • Laboratory designers and engineers
  • Contractors and construction teams
  • Facilities and operations managers
  • Researchers and laboratory users
  • Equipment suppliers and manufacturers
  • Sustainability professionals
  • Consultants and advisers

If you help shape, build, operate or use laboratory facilities, we'd love to hear your commitment.

Looking for Inspiration?

Your commitment doesn't need to be large or complex. The focus is on taking practical action that can make a real difference.

Examples might include:

✅ Reviewing air change rates to improve efficiency
✅ Reducing plug-load energy waste
✅ Reusing laboratory furniture and equipment
✅ Selecting lower-carbon materials on a project
✅ Supporting participation in laboratory benchmarking initiatives
✅ Optimising freezer management and reducing redundant storage
✅ Introducing occupancy-based controls
✅ Reducing water consumption
✅ Applying circular economy principles to projects and operations
✅ Sharing best practice with colleagues or project teams

The most important thing is to start.

Why Are We Doing This?

The laboratory sector has a significant opportunity to contribute to global sustainability goals. Across design, construction, operation and occupancy, there are countless opportunities to reduce environmental impact and improve performance.

By encouraging individuals and organisations to take one practical step, #I2SLSeasonOfAction aims to demonstrate the power of collective action and highlight the important work already taking place across our community.

Throughout October, we'll be showcasing commitments from members and sharing examples of actions being taken across the sector.

We'll also bring together the collective results and key themes at our November UK Chapter event.

How to Get Involved

Taking part is simple:

  1. Decide on one action you will commit to.
  2. Share your commitment on LinkedIn.
  3. Tag colleagues and encourage them to participate.
  4. Use #I2SLSeasonOfAction in your post.
  5. Follow the campaign and celebrate the progress being made across the community.

Small Actions. Big Impact.

What if every member of our community took one action this month?

One conversation. One improvement. One idea shared. One step towards a more sustainable laboratory sector.

Join us and share your commitment using #I2SLSeasonOfAction.